EXTREME METAL MANIAC'S BEST METAL RELEASES FOR 2022

 

EXTREME METAL MANIAC'S BEST METAL RELEASES FOR 2022

Now for the obligatory opening words. As far as Metal was in 2022 I'd say it was typical. In other words you had a plethora of releases out there to choose from regardless of genre. And as usual you had a bunch of decent releases from well known acts. Some are included in my Favorites list below. Also there were some bands I have liked before who put out sub standard or absolute shit releases. Thankfully you had more Extreme bands filling in the gaps. 

Here's a shocker. Death Metal and Black Metal were not my go to genres this year. Although there are plenty of Death Metal and Black Metal releases in my Top 40 Favorite listings. But this year it was fuckin straight up Metal acts and ones that mixed things up who were my favorites. Add to that my Top 3 releases are bands that I saw perform this year. Yeah people ya need to go to those smaller shows. Unfortunately I only have a Top 40 list for full length releases. So there was some good stuff that didn't make the cut but were damm good. 

For example, TONY MARTIN had a cool solo album which was great for a SABBATH nostalgia fix. On a similar note the band SANHEDRIN had a great straight up Metal album which came out on Metal Blade Records. Some other names who in the past would've easily made it on my Favorites list but didn't this time around were DEATHHAMMER, MINNERIKET and SATANIC WARMASTER. The latter one came out on Dec. 30th. Also the full length by THE CRIPPLER was almost there. 

Now as far as the releases that are not on here but YOU think should've made the cut. Well obviously they didn't come in for review nor did I buy em. As for that latter point I never heard the new ones by KAMPFAR, SIGH, AUTOPSY, THE HELLACOPTERS or BLUT AUS NORD. I really wanted to check em out. Now on the other hand there were plenty of releases by known bands that just were not good enough in my not so humble opinion to make the list. And yeah I've been watching some of these Best Of 2022 shows on Youtube and thinking "you're a mainstream fuck" or "you've got an agenda". The latter point is understandable. 

I know this is Extreme Metal Maniac (formerly Scumfeast Metal) and I believe my listings are good. My Top 40 full length album picks are (in my not so humble opinion) fucking amazing. So here ya go.   

MY TOP 40 FAVORITE ALBUMS FOR 2022

1. SAVAGE MASTER - Those Who Hunt at Night

(Shadow Kingdom Records)

Their fourth and finest album to date.

2. EARLY MOODS - Self Titled

(RidingEasy Records)

Think of early CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and MC-5 all rolled into one.

3. ARES KINGDOM - In Darkness at Last

(Nuclear War Now! Productions)

A tour de force of blackened death thrash.

4. DESTROYER 666 - Never Surrender

(Season of Mist)

Australian and anti-everything.

5. DEVENIAL VERDICT - Ash Blind

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

The template of modern Finnish death metal.

6. VENOM INC - There's Only Black

(Nuclear Blast) 

Foregoing the past to stand on their own.

7. MIDNIGHT - Let There Be Witchery

(Metal Blade Records)

MOTORHEAD and VENOM worship never sounded so good.

8. LIVE BURIAL - Curse of the Forlorn

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

The mantle of English extreme metal has been passed.

9. CAUCHEMAR – Rosa Mystica

(Temple of Mystery Records)

Amazing traditional metal/doom act from Quebec. Like PAGAN ALTAR with female vocals.

10. NEGATIVE PLANE - The Pact..

(Invictus Productions)

The blackest in black metal for the year.

11. ERIC WAGNER - In The Lonely Light of Mourning

(Cruz Del Sur Music)

Released after his death, this is an amazing ode to his legacy.

12. EXHUMED - To The Dead

(Relapse Records)

US death grind vets return with a beast.

13. EREB ALTOR - Vargtimman

(Hammerheart Records)

Blackened pagan metal with the spirit of BATHORY.

14. PAGANIZER - Beyond The Macabre

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

Keeping the spirit of old school Swedish DM alive and fresh.

15. MANEGARM - Ynglinga Attens Ode

(Napalm Records)

Swedish folk metal vets put out an opus.

16. ORGAN TRAIL - Appetite For Dissection

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)

Death Grind done to perfection by a bunch of musicians who don't live near each other but came together to put out something amazing.

17. BEGRIME EXEMIOUS - Rotting in the Aftermath

(Dark Descent Records)

Old school DM from Canada.

18. CASKET ROBBERY - Rituals of Death

(Blood Blast Distribution/Nuclear Blast)

Midwest maniacs second album of modern death metal.

19. HEGEROTH - Sacra Doctrina

(Self Released)

Polish act revisiting Scandinavian black metal from the mid 1990's with a few subtle personal touches.

20. VIANDE - L'abime devore les ames 

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

A sinister, claustrophobic and dark atmospheric type of death/doom from France.

 

21. ANTIGAMA - Whiteout

(Selfmadegod Records)

Poland's grindcore masters

22. PERSECUTORY - Summoning the Lawless Legions

(Godz Ov War Productions)

Amazing black metal from Turkey. 

23. NOCTURNAL GRAVES - An Outlaw's Stand

(Season of Mist)

A punch in the face of Australian blackened death metal.

24. GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From the Arches of Heaven 

(Metal Blade Records)

The return of extreme NOLA.

25. BLIND GUARDIAN – The God Machine

(Nuclear Blast)

German power metal vets return to their old ways.

26. RIOT ACT - Closer to the Flame 2xCD

(Global Rock Records)

The embodiment of RIOT's past greatness meets modern day acceptance. 

27. KRISIUN - Mortem Solis

(Century Media Records)

Twelth full length by the Brazilian brothers of death metal.

 

28. MEDIEVAL DEMON - Black Coven

(Hells Headbangers Records)

The resurrection of symphonic Greek black metal.

29. RIOT CITY - Electric Elite

(No Remorse Records)

NWOBHM worship from Canada.

30. VEHEMENCE - Ordalies

(Antiq Records)

French black metal getting medieval.

31. ABYSSUS - Death Revival 

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

This Greek band loves OBITUARY so much they practically borrowed their logo.

32. EXILIUM NOCTIS - Fragments Of Apocalypse 

(Sleaszy Rider Records)

Debut album by this Greek black metal act.

33. CORPSESSED - Succumb To Rot

(Dark Descent Records)

Purveyors of the old school Finnish death metal/death doom and gloom.

34. ERNIA - How To Deal With Life And Fail 

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

Spanish avant-grind gone to the hilt.

35. MUNICIPAL WASTE - Electrified Brain

(Nuclear Blast)

Best album they've done in years. Thrash and more.

36. DRUDKH - All Belong to the Night

(Season of Mist)

A master class in Ukrainian atmospheric black metal.

 

37. ATARAXY - The Last Mirror

(Dark Descent Records)

Old school death doom influenced by ASPHYX, BOLT THROWER and an inquisition dungeon.

 

38. SENTIENT HORROR - Rites of Gore

(Redefining Darkness Records)

90's style old school death metal from New Jersey.

39. PHARMACIST - Flourishing Extremities On Unspoiled Mental Grounds

(Bizarre Leprous Productions)

Japanese two piece act reinterprets the gore death grind era of CARCASS.

40. SAXON - Carpe Diem 

(Silver Lining Music)

Andy Sneap's production work is like Viagra to legacy bands.

TOP EPs FOR 2022

1) SHINING WIZARD - Tournament of Death 

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)

Grindcore meets Professional Wrestling.

2) VICIOUS BLADE - Siege of Cruelty 

(Our Ancient Future)

Thrash and old HC from the singer of CASTRATOR.

3) BERATOR - Elysian Inferno 

(Dark Descent Records)

Midwest blackened death.

4) GREYHAWK - Call of the Hawk 

(Fighter Records)

Heavy fuckin Metal from Seattle, WA.

5) FRIGHT - Self Titled 

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)

Jersey/Philly supergroup going old school Thrash and Crossover.

SPLIT RELEASES

BLACK ALTAR & VULTURE LORD - Deathiah Manifesto 

(Odium Records)

COMPILATIONS

INCANTATION - Tricennial of Blasphemy

(Relapse Records)

All of their rare stuff in one package. 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Transcending Obscurity Records Label Sampler 2022

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

Always a great place to start with this label.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Faster Than the Fucking Devil

(Wise Blood Records)

Yeah it's fast.

REISSUES

RAVEN - Rock Until You Drop (4 CD Over The Top Edition)

(Hear No Evil Recordings)

Mandatory for any RAVEN fan. I picked this up at their show this year.

FAVORITE LABEL IN 2022

Transcending Obscurity Records

FAVORITE NON METAL BAND OF 2022

ANTISEEN

AND NOW THE SOLO CATEGORIES

BEST BLACK METAL ALBUM OF 2022

NEGATIVE PLANE - The Pact..

(Invictus Productions)

BEST DEATH METAL ALBUM OF 2022

DEVENIAL VERDICT - Ash Blind

(Transcending Obscurity Records)

BEST DOOM ALBUM OF 2022

EARLY MOODS - Self Titled

(RidingEasy Records)

BEST GRINDCORE ALBUM OF 2022

ORGAN TRAIL - Appetite For Dissection

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions)

BEST THRASH ALBUM OF 2022

MUNICIPAL WASTE - Electrified Brain

(Nuclear Blast)

BEST METAL ALBUM OF 2022

SAVAGE MASTER - Those Who Hunt at Night

(Shadow Kingdom Records)

BEST FOLK METAL ALBUM OF 2022

MANEGARM - Ynglinga Attens Ode

(Napalm Records)

BEST POWER METAL ALBUM OF 2022

BLIND GUARDIAN – The God Machine

(Nuclear Blast)

HOTTEST THING IN METAL FOR 2022

SAVAGE MASTER

WORST THINGS IN METAL FOR 2022

1. That WATAIN album really sucked!

2. That AMON AMARTH album really sucked! But you figured it would.

3. That BELPHEGOR album sucked and that pissed me off.

4. MEGADETH's album sucked even though there was some great lead guitar work on it.

5. Getting put in Facebook Jail for saying BURZUM on a Metal group site was pathetic. 

NUFF SAID

THE CRIPPLER - I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In review

 

THE CRIPPLER - I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

OK this one wins hands down as the most hate filled album of the year. I'll get to that point later. But hey not surprising enough this is a side project from the members of Philadelphia, PA's EAT THE TURNBUCKLE. Although EAT THE TURNBUCKLE channel their violence via professional wrestling fandom and grindcore. THE CRIPPLER are more about slashers. 

Musically this is a cross between some groove laden death metal, old school grind and plenty of thrash rhythms. For me that's what I call the full fuckin package. The vocals are a mix of full on deep throat-ed aggression with harsh back ground screams. Add that to the riff package you get some cool cuts.

All in all this band puts out everything said earlier as well as some jazz touches, tech death mentions but a whole lot of in your face filth. Great stuff but I wonder how great their next album would be. 

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/im-just-gonna-let-myself-in

KRISIUN - Mortem Solis review

 

KRISIUN - Mortem Solis

Century Media Records 

Everyone's favorite Brazilian brothers of death metal return with their 12th studio album. I don't know but it seems like yesterday I was listening to 2000's Conquerors of Armageddon or Southern Storm from 2008. Actually it was a few months ago and yeah those are my favorite albums by KRISIUN. 

Over the past bunch of years KRISIUN have put out a handful of full lengths that fit the bill if you're a fan which I am. But they've fell into that signature sound category. It's KRISIUN you either like it or not. Fortunately I'm a fan and have liked every album they've put out. Albeit there are a few that have gathered some dust over the years.

Their last one, Scourge of the Enthroned, from 2018 was damm good. So this year when I saw KRISIUN was coming out with a new one I was excited. So on Mortem Solis the band seems to have taken a step back to the past as far as their sound and song structures. Sure it's fast and heavy but not blasting your head off.

There's some exciting riffs flowing throughout. Plus the lead guitar work is on that tolerable tech death scale. The vocals are still in that deep baritone, angry and filthy. And of course the drum work is amazing. Some cool songs on here are "Serpent Messiah" and "Swords into Flesh", either one would be a great opener when they tour next year with VADER.

Add to them I'd say "Tomb of the Nameless" is a sick blast from the past at times. "War Blood Hammer" fuckin rules. In the end it's not a perfect blast from the past. But it's a great reminder from KRISIUN that hey they still kick ass. Something I've learned over the past few years is that few bands from the past which I liked a lot don't excite me as much with their newer stuff. KRISIUN never disappointing.

https://www.centurymedia.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVkyxfpZABM&t=761s

MUNICIPAL WASTE - Electrified Brain review

 

MUNICIPAL WASTE - Electrified Brain

Nuclear Blast

For me MUNICIPAL WASTE can't do no wrong. I mean for starters it was this Richmond, Virginia band that started the whole thrash revival back in the mid 2000's. Their third full length, The Art of Partying, from 2007 was the album that broke em onto the minds of thrash fans everywhere. 

Now personally as much as I like that album, as well as their first two. Massive Aggressive from 2009 is the one I still consider fucking great. To me that one was like their Master of Puppets. Yeah sure some people don't care for that album but fuck em. At least after that album the band stayed true to thrash as opposed to METALLICA. 

But anyways since then the band's more recent releases (aka: The Fatal Feast from 2012 and Slime and Punishment from 2017) have been decent but not overwhelming. So when this dink came out I was hoping for more than their typical thrash attack. Thankfully Electrified Brain does that in a great way. 

OK sure the band's trademark crossover/punk/thrash appeal is all over these fourteen songs. But if you listen with mature ears you'll hear plenty of odes to metal's non thrash past. For example "Demoralizer" has a touch of old MAIDEN. Other cuts show off why Nick Poulos, who joined back in 2016, was a good pick to throw down some major lead guitar work. "High Speed Steel" is pure 80's underground metal worship. 

I could go on about the cool songs on here and "Last Crawl" plus "Ten Cent Beer Night" are major ragers. But the bottom line is that Electrified Brain is my new favorite MUNICIPAL WASTE album. It's not only the best album they've done in years but one of this year's best. 

https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/

LISTEN HERE:

https://municipal-waste.bandcamp.com/album/electrified-brain-2

CASKET ROBBERY - Rituals of Death review

 

CASKET ROBBERY - Rituals of Death

Blood Blast Distribution/Nuclear Blast

Well let's just get a few issues out of the way. So this comes in described as "female fronted brutal death metal". OK I get it ya need to lay down a quick description. But to you the reader I'd like to point out that women in extreme metal are not a curiosity nor a celebration. Look after all of these years (and I'm not some SJW loser) it's a gimme. To me it's all about talent and not gender. 

Next up, in my not so humble opinion this is not what I'd call brutal death metal. Maybe I'm old school (well yes I am) but brutal death metal to me is "BROOTAL" as in far more heavier than CANNIBAL CORPSE. So no this is more in the realm of modern death metal. And that's not a slag.

So what we have here is the second album by this Madison, Wisconsin DM act. Their debut album, Evolution of Evil, came out in 2016. That one had a different line-up and after giving it a listen (thanks Youtube) I found it to be fairly decent DM. 

Fast forward to this day with a newer line-up, CASKET ROBBERY come off as a savage nemesis to the top tier acts of DM supremacy. Yes the band's sound is modern DM. In other words the riffs are oppressive and angry. The guitar leads roll into the tech death realm. The vocals are aggro. And the rhythm section just bulldozes over ya. 

Be that as it may Megan Orvold-Scheider's vocals are ferocious. OK yeah she's an amazing vocalist. Megan has a varied extreme sounding range which covers the gambit of harsh gutturals as well as those ghostly cleans. Add to that you've got the low tuned guitars crunching. Plus some bass which comes across like thunder with drums. The music and the vocals are so in sync. 

In the end I have to say that CASKET ROBBERY are a huge surprise for me. In all honesty I have to admit that most newer sounding metal acts, especially in the DM realm, are not my thing. These Midwest maniacs have won me over simply because they're not generic. Ten cuts on here and every one is good. 

LISTEN TO AND BUY HERE:

https://casketrobbery.bandcamp.com/album/rituals-of-death

SHINING WIZARD - Tournament of Death EP review

 

SHINING WIZARD - Tournament of Death EP

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Metal and Wrestling (aka: the SPORT OF KINGS) has worked hand in hand for decades. OK I'll give ya the hate period when the big name shows played CREED. But hey ECW played some good stuff. Be that as it may I gotta be honest. I grew up watching wrestling in the 70's. I stuck with it till the end of the 90's. And I don't give a rats ass for it anymore unless I'm feeling nostalgic and start watching old Youtube Wrestling vids.

So what we have here is a Florida punk/grind band who do remember, most likely from Youtube vids than VHS tapes, some great heals from the Sport of Kings aka: Wrestling. Some of their faves rooted through song are questionable. New Jack was a piece of shit in my not so humble opinion. The big Boss Mann was an enforcer and a horrible wrestler in the ring. And don't get me started on Scott Hall. 

Now on the other hand musically this band's second EP is a total heal (in Wrestling terms it's a bad guy). To me it's more snarling punk than metal for the most part. I wonder if they like ANTISEEN? Not that they sound like em at all. But NC's ANTISEEN like their Wrestling as well. Six songs of very cool sounding and mean punk/metal. Yeah this is the type of band I'd like to see live. 

https://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/tournament-of-death

GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From the Arches of Heaven review

 

GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From the Arches of Heaven 

Metal Blade Records

Here we have the eighth full length by this long time blackened death thrash act from New Orleans, Louisiana. Just for the record I got into GOATWHORE with their third album. That was 2006's A Haunting Curse and to be honest it's still my favorite album by em. But I'm honest enough to admit that Carving Out the Eyes of God from 2009 was their breakthrough album. It put em on the top tier where they've stayed ever since. 

But that was then and afterwards what followed were a decent run of releases. Although I did think their last one, Vengeful Ascension, from 2017 was where the formula of their sound had run it's course. To me it was a beer coaster to say the least. So here we are five years later and have things gotten better? Well yeah actually and I think this album is pretty cool.

Aside from the worthless instrumental opener, "Invocation 3", the album kicks in a ferocious bite with "Born of Satan's Flesh". From that point onward I knew this was a comeback to when GOATWHORE were exciting. And of course it lies with the individuals. 

First and foremost is guitarist Sammy Duet. This guy is one of the best guitarists in extreme metal. It's his songwriting, the jagged riffs and the wild soloing style he creates. He's the main reason why I like GOATWHORE. Next up of course is vocalist Ben Falgoust. With a genre sound which is black, death and thrash metal his vocals reign. 

Drummer Zack Simmons has been with GOATWHORE since I got into em and has always been this powerhouse behind the kit. For a three genre style act he has always provided an amazing background performance. On this album he just has gone to a perfection level. New bass player, since 2017, Robert Coleman finds a few ways to stand out.

All in all GOATWHORE have returned to the exciting category in my opinion. Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven is eleven songs and that opening instro. The majority are hard hitting cuts. It's the return of extreme NOLA.

https://www.metalblade.com/us/

LISTEN HERE:

https://goatwhore.bandcamp.com/album/angels-hung-from-the-arches-of-heaven

RIOT CITY - Electric Elite review

 

RIOT CITY - Electric Elite

No Remorse Records

This is the second full length by Canada's RIOT CITY. A few years ago they came out with their fiery debut, Burn the Night. That one proved they loved original NWOBHM music. This time around the band made some changes and it definitely shows progress. 

First off you've got guitarist Cale Savy handing over lead vocal duties to newcomer Jordan Jacobs. This guy is a heavy metal screamer reminiscent of the old days. Actually he's an amazing vocalist with a wide range. You could consider him a Geoff Tate devotee. That not only adds to the song craft but lets Savy and fellow guitarist Roldan Reimer more freedom to go crazy.

Electric Elite is eight cuts of pure NWOBHM worship done right. Their debut had plenty of MAIDEN-isms. This time around they've come into their own. Good powerful melodies, damm good riffs with some strong sounding bass lines. Cale Savy gets to show off more with his guitar soloing. 

I'm old enough to remember when NWOBHM was fresh and wild as fuck. Since then, especially in the past decade, there's been a ton of young acts who love the music but cannot put their own stamp onto it. On this sophomore album RIOT CITY has done so.

https://www.noremorse.gr/

LISTEN HERE:

https://riotcityofficial.bandcamp.com/album/electric-elite

BLIND GUARDIAN – The God Machine review

 

BLIND GUARDIAN – The God Machine

Nuclear Blast

Alright I kinda figured if their power metal compatriots HELLOWEEN could return with a home-run of an album last year then why not these guys. In all honesty I'm not a big BLIND GUARDIAN fan. I've got a handful of their releases from years ago. I guess you could call those their classic era stuff. I was a late to the party type of BLIND GUARDIAN fan anyways. But what I own I like. 

To honest with ya I haven't checked out one of this band's newer releases in a while. 2010's At the Edge of Time was where I left off at. Now I was liking the side project DEMONS & WIZARDS for a long time. If you don't know then that band consisted of BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kursch and ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer, as well as a few other musicians. So as far as The God Machine goes I'm checking it out with a freshness. 

Well for starters this sounds like I was expecting. After all of these years Hansi Kursch still has an amazing voice. The songs are epic in that over the top power / progressive metal production style. The guitar leads are beautiful. The drum work still not as bombastic as it once was but it gets the job done. 

I won't say every cut on here, there's nine, is a winner but damm close. I'd say half of em are good o'l power thrashers reminiscent of old. Opener "Deliver Us From Evil" and it's follow-up "Damnation" will send chills up your spine. Add to that "Violent Shadows" and "Blood Of The Elves" will invoke slam pit action. 

"Secrets of the American Gods" is a seven plus minute progressive metal epic. It might be my all out favorite cut on here. Another epic yet speed metal era of the band type of cut is “Architects Of Doom”. Andre Olbrich really lets loose with his guitar lead work on here. 

The end result is that this is the best thing I've enjoyed from these Germans in decades. If you're a fan of their classic era then you're gonna go apeshit over this. But it's not rehash by any means nor is it perfect in my not so humble opinion. But it's damm good.

 

https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/

LISTEN HERE:

https://blindguardian.bandcamp.com/album/the-god-machine

DARKTHRONE – Astral Fortress review

 

DARKTHRONE – Astral Fortress

Peaceville

I'm not going to dwell too much upon my history (yeah I'm a long time fan) with this band. I'll just say that over the past decade I've haven't been thrilled with what they've done. So while first listening to this their twentieth full length I had some hope. Opener "Caravan of Broken Ghosts" is pretty good in a blackened doom sort of way. 

Of course last year's Eternal Hails held some promise when the label dropped a decent pre-release cut. And then when you heard the whole album it all went downhill again. So with Astral Fortress, it's not that bad if ya really dig into it. Like I said the opener is decent. But the next two cuts, "Impeccable Caverns of Satan" and "Stalagmite Necklace" are boring. I was getting ready for another let down.

But the ten minute plus “The Sea Beneath the Seas of the Sea” is a decent sounding blackened doom epic. Of course the basic riff and song structure has been borrowed from a better song by someone else. I think it's CANDLEMASS. The added keyboards at the song's mid-point are a nice touch. "Kevorkian Times" is also a decent cut and continues with the doom centric theme. It starts out fast and closes slow.

"Kolbotn, West of the Vast Forests" is a throwaway instrumental. But "Eon 2" is a decent closer with a mixed song structure of upbeat doom which bookends some slow riffage. Which means it's not like the closing cut from their first album Soulside Journey. As far as performances go Nocturno Culto's vocals show no sign of fading. And if he ever learns more guitar playing technique I'll be shocked. The same goes for Fenriz's drum work.

All in all it's a keeper.

http://www.peaceville.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh9pACpO9Io

MANEGARM - Ynglinga Attens Ode review

 

MANEGARM - Ynglinga Attens Ode

Napalm Records

OK so bias alert I'm a MANEGARM fan and I love their early Viking metal releases. But hey if you're a fan of blackened pagan metal with a Viking themes then how could you not? After their early days the band bounced around to a couple of other labels. They finally ended up on Napalm Records which years ago in a review I said it was the place where good bands go to die. 

Well their first couple of releases on Napalm were average to say the least which was another confirmation of my opinion. But this year MANEGARM finally put out a great Folk Metal release that I've actually been waiting a decade for. The Viking shtick is mostly gone so the band has been doing the whole traditional Folk Metal style for many years now. On here their tenth album they've managed to get it all by hitting all the buttons.

Ynglinga Attens Ode has in all as far as the folk metal genre goes. You've got the songs about pagan myths and sagas. Which are all sung in Swedish by the way. The folk melodies and song structures are sown in with the powerful riffs. It all comes across in a grandiose effect. Not only does vocalist/bassist Erik Grawsio carry the weight on these songs, whether it's cleans, screams and howls. There's added backing vocals, male and female. Oh yeah and plenty of violin into the mix.

The bottom line here is that these Swedes have created an album that's infectious to genre fans as well as being accessible to newcomers. My biggest problem with the whole folk metal genre over the past decade has been it's generic tendencies. The older bands got stagnant. Most newer acts played it safe. Finally here we have an opus.

https://napalmrecords.com/deutsch/

LISTEN HERE:

https://manegarm.bandcamp.com/album/ynglinga-ttens-de

VICIOUS BLADE - Siege of Cruelty EP review

 

VICIOUS BLADE - Siege of Cruelty EP

Our Ancient Future

This is the second short form release by this Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania thrash outfit. I learned about this band because their vocalist, Clarissa Badini, also sings for the death metal act CASTRATOR. Now in all honesty I've listened to CASTRATOR's debut album, Defiled in Oblivion, which came out on Dark Descent Records this year. I was not thrilled with it. 

Then I checked this one out and was floored. What you have here is heavy handed thrash with a vocalist who can push a variety of vocal styles. Clarissa Badini can do the low growls, the harsh screams and the amazing clean vocals. The latter vocals mentioned remind me of an old hardcore influence. 

But all in all this five song EP is a full on attack of savage riffs which will remind ya of the old ways. You've got psycho soloing plus a punchy rhythm section. All in all this EP is amazing. I say forget about CASTRATOR and check this one out.

https://www.ourancientfuture.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://viciousblade.bandcamp.com/album/siege-of-cruelty

DESTROYER 666 - Never Surrender review

 

DESTROYER 666 - Never Surrender

Season of Mist

A good friend of mine turned me onto DESTROYER 666 many years ago with their debut full length Unchain the Wolves. That was back in 1997 and I've been a constant fan of these extreme metal Aussie's ever since. Now while my appreciation for this band has not changed over the decades. Much about DESTROYER 666 has, with one exception and that's mainman/guitarist/vocalist K.K. Warslut. 

K.K. Warslut has guided this act for almost three decades now and that's with a revolving door line-up of band members. He's weather all of that as well as subtle changes in style. DESTROYER 666 is still a blackened thrash act. But a few years ago they got, pardon me, accessible in their sound. Wildfire from 2016 became the band's new template to continue onward with. 

On that album K.K. and his new line-up dropped a bit of the satanic shtick and went with a more catchy thrash attack with melody and memorable gang vocal choruses. Add to that you got better production. Fast forward six years later and K.K. is still following the Wildfire formula with a semi newer line-up. And I think this is damm good.

Joining K.K. on this the band's sixth full length is new drummer Kev Desecrator who joined in 2020. Add on bassist Felipe Plaza Kutzbach who has remained since Wildfire. So musically this is still hard hitting yet rough around the edges thrash. Of course the riffs are solid. The soloing flows to an almost NWOBHM tone. 

On one song there's a death thrash feel "Grave Raiders" which reminds me of early DECEASED. Opener "Never Surrender" is a fist in the air heavy metal anthem for 2022. "Guillotine" is another strong cut with political / social references towards some of the crazy shit going on in Australia since the pandemic. With the chorus lyric "What's Happened to My Country" ah yeah I totally fuckin agree.

Most of the other tracks on here are mid-paced thrashers with plenty of shouted vocals plus gang backing shouts. Two of the tracks on this album do take you back a ways to the band's early more blackened days. Those cuts being "Pitch Black Night" and "Batavia's Graveyard". 

So all in all K.K. Warslut, who's vocals are phenomenal on here, has once again breathed new life into something which was originally a side project decades ago. Of late whenever I'm in the mood for some DESTROYER 666 I've been playing Wildfire plus the 2018 Call of the Wild EP. This album surpasses those two releases. Never Surrender might be a late comer to 2022 but it is one of the best releases of the year. 

https://www.season-of-mist.com/

LISTEN HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQJEDR2G9M4

CANDLEMASS - Sweet Evil Sun review

 

CANDLEMASS - Sweet Evil Sun

Napalm Records

OK so bias alert I'm a CANDLEMASS fan. In that I mean yeah I have all of their releases aka: full lengths, EPs and live stuff. But I'm honest enough to say yeah they've got some epic releases, so decent ones and a few that I don't listen to much if at all anymore. 

So here we are with the band's thirteenth album. This one marks the second in a row with Johan Langquist on vocals. Johan Langquist was the original vocalist the band had on their amazing debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus from 1986. Langquist was brought in for 2019's The Door to Doom after the band decided that Mats Leven, who replaced Robert Lowe, was not going to work out for some reason.

 

Now as much as I liked The Door to Doom, it was not Epicus Doomicus Two as some well wishers had judged it to be. And to those who are not real CANDLEMASS fans you don't know the band's curse. That is their second album with a new singer curse. Messiah's second album with the band was good but not great and the same falls in with Robert Lowe's shot. I see Langquist's second shot here the same way.

Sweet Evil Sun doesn't have a lot to shine for it. Basically it's CANDLEMASS 101 with familiar riff packages, there's great solos by Lars Johansson and those occasional backing keyboards. There are some cuts on here that seem more geared for Lowe or Leven to sing. But Langquist trys his best. Opener "Wizard of the Vortex" is decent as well as is the epic touch of "Devil Voodoo". Add to that I think "Crucified" might be Langquist's best vocal performance on here.

So that leaves us with another OK album by CANDLEMASS. After so many plays I was left wondering how tough would it be for the band to get Messiah back for an album. 

https://napalmrecords.com/deutsch/

LISTEN HERE:

https://candlemass.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-evil-sun